India, Myanmar ink security deal

India and Myanmar have signed a deal for 'enhanced cooperation' between their security agencies in combating militancy, narcotics smuggling and poaching of wildlife. The deal provides for coordinated patrol by the armed forces and coast guards of the two countries along their land and maritime borders. India’s ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhaya, and Myanmar's Deputy Defence Minister, Major General Kyaw Nyunt, recently signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Border Cooperation on behalf of the two governments in Nay Pyi Taw. The Ministry of External Affairs of Indian Government stated that the MoU on Border Cooperation would provide a framework for security cooperation and exchange of information between security agencies of India and Myanmar. “A key provision is that of conduct of coordinated patrols on their respective sides of the international border and the maritime boundary by the Armed Forces of the two countries,” noted a statement from the MEA of India. India and Myanmar share a 1,600-km-long land border as well as a maritime boundary in Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal and Coco Channel, according to bdnews24.com.